EXPERIENCES & REMINISCENCES. 141 



time he had hold. A few minutes' nice play brought a barbel 

 just over 3lbs. to the bank side, and having no landing net it 

 was assisted out of its native element with a firm grip just 

 above its skull. The dace and small chub now began to be 

 very troublesome, " whittling " at the edge of the bait, but 

 presently something bigger laid hold, and after 10 minutes 

 strong play Mr. Hopper had a beauty of 4lbs. on the bank. A 

 little later Mr. Hopper had, as he thought, hold again, but he 

 was just too late in striking, and Mr. Barbel blew the bait out 

 of his mouth before the hook could be struck home. It was 

 now getting dark so Mr. Hopper put together his rod and 

 made tracks home, where he found his two mates had had 

 very poor sport a few small chub and dace but they admired 

 the barbel, and were pleased that the swim had at last yielded 

 something worthy of its reputation. However, it was clear 

 they were about tired of their lack of sport not to be wondered 

 at either and they announced their intention of returning 

 Grimsbywards next day, whilst Mr. Hopper being out for a 

 holiday as well as for fishing, said he should stick to his guns 

 or rather his rods for another week. 



Mr. Hopper had almost forgotten to record the most important 

 event of the week. On either Wednesday or Thursday the fence 

 end barbel swim yielded McNab a nice little barbel between 2lbs. 

 and 3lbs. weight, and for his size he gave McNab any amount 

 of play, and it was the best part of 10 minutes before he was 

 safely in the boat. McNab did fairly well under the circum- 

 stances of its being his first barbel, but he has a lot to learn in 

 the way of experience before he can properly handle a $lb. barbeL 

 Mazawattee looked grimly on in stolid silence whilst McNab's 

 rod made involuntary plunges of two feet deep into the water 

 under the strong fighting tactics and strain of the barbel, but 

 everyone's first barbel makes the angler's rod dip. Your 

 health McNab, over your first barbel ! 



